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Compiling an Annotated Bibliography
Worksheet #001

Overview of Learning Activity

In her article “Fear of Reference,” Barbara Fister (2002) reports that some instructors require that each student have a librarian “sign-off on a preliminary bibliography” because it provides “an opportunity [for the librarian] to discuss where else the student might find good material or why some sources may not be particularly good ones.” (p. B20)

The annotated bibliography that you compile for this course will serve a similar purpose. Often, by reviewing the annotated bibliography before you begin writing your final paper, I am able to identify potential difficulties that could have a negative impact on the final paper: questionable credibility of sources, research bias, missing materials, and so forth. Often, it is easier to correct these problems by doing additional research before beginning to write your paper than it is to fix problems of research methodology that appear in a draft.

However, even though I will be reviewing your bibliography and providing you feedback, don’t forget the reference librarian is also available to give you assistance.

Objectives of Activity

At the conclusion of this activity, you will be able to compile an annotated bibliography where

    blue bullet used to denote item in a listThe citations are written in proper academic format. Check to see if your instructor requires MLA (Modern Language Association), APA (American Psychological Association), or some other format.

    blue bullet used to denote item in a listThe citations show a range of research (e.g. books, quality web pages, articles from academic journals, et cetera)

    blue bullet used to denote item in a listThe annotations briefly and accurately summarize the material found in the material being cited.

Directions for Activity

Assessment of Learning Activity

You should submit your completed annotated bibliography to your instructor for evaluation.

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Avoiding Plagiarism

Stephen Wilhoit (1994) instructs faculty members that “we need to remember that for most students the conventions of academic acknowledgement and documentation prove difficult to understand and master.” Incorrect or inaccurate citations in a final paper could have serious consequences ranging from a failing grade on the paper to a failing grade for the course. Because your annotated bibliography requires you to cite references using proper MLA format, any conventions that prove “difficult to understand and master” can be corrected at this point. Furthermore, the annotations for this bibliography might eventually find themselves as passages in your final paper where you need to briefly summarize an author’s main points before expanding on it using your own ideas.


References and Resources

blue bullet used to denote item in a listEngle, Michael; Amy Blumenthal, and Tony Cosgrave. How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography 20 November 2002. Cornell University Library.

blue bullet used to denote item in a listFister, Barbara. “Fear of Reference.” The Chronicle of Higher Education 48.40 (2002): B20.

blue bullet used to denote item in a listGibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 6th ed. New York: The Modern Language Association of America, 2003.

blue bullet used to denote item in a listRoth, Audrey J. The Research Paper. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1999.

blue bullet used to denote item in a listRaimes, Ann. “Differentiate Summary, Paraphrase, and Quotation—But Integrate and Cite Them All.” Keys for Writers: A Brief Handbook 3rd ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2002. 107-110.

blue bullet used to denote item in a listWilhoit, Stephen. “Helping Students Avoid Plagiarism.” College Teaching 42.4 (1994): 161+.

blue bullet used to denote item in a listWriters’ Workshop. Writing Summaries nd. University of Illinois.

blue bullet used to denote item in a listWriting Center. Annotated Bibliographies 2003. University of Wisconsin at Madison.

blue bullet used to denote item in a listWriting Center. Summaries nd. University College of the Fraser Valley.

blue bullet used to denote item in a listWriting@CSU. How to Summarize Effectively nd. Colorado State University.


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